Tryon Emerges From Struggling CB Group

Garrett Cleverly

08/19/2006

In the final pre-season scrimmage the defense wanted to showcase their new found ability and dispel the notion they would finish near last in the nation once again. When the final whistle blew the defense looked exhausted and did not accomplish what they set out to prove. One player however, still has faith that this defense is an improved one.

"Right now it's kind of hard because the offense just whipped us right now but I'm ready for the season to start," Justin Tryon commented following the scrimmage. Tryon, a Junior College transfer in the spring has made his mark in a short time. During his two years at College of the Canyons he helped lead his team to a number one ranking and built an impressive resume. While at College of the Canyons he earned second team All-American in 2005, and helped his squad win the 2004 national championship, the state of California championship and the western states conference championship. When Tyron transferred to Arizona State he was one of three JC players who needed to make an immediate impact for the team. Tyron also has been vying for a starting role at the cornerback position all spring and these days that dream has become a reality.

He ran with the first team and showed a great upside on Friday night. However, if you tell him that he looked great out on the field he'll tell you otherwise. "I was a little slow out there today, I was trying to get picks and that wasn't happening." On paper Tyron had an excellent game with eight tackles and a blocked touchdown pass, but he doesn't care about his stats and worries more about the team effort. The defensive backs had a tough time during the scrimmage to stop the passing tangent of Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter who combined for seven touchdowns and over 575 passing yards.

Tryon, along with the defense feels heat and pressure to improve and establish itself quickly among the elite in the nation. "We've got to prove a lot because the media has picked us to finish last on defense," he said. "We've got to face adversity…we were ranked last and we need to turn it around." Strong words for a player who wasn't even on the team last year. But Tyron is also a player that has come from a number one Junior College.

When asked about the cornerback situation and the weakness in depth, Tyron had this to say, "I'm going to be a shut down corner," he commented, "and I try to get out there every play. It's all about communicating with the free safeties out there," In addition, Tyron said that the reason the defense didn't have a good showing was that there was no communication between the defensive backs. He has no excuse for this problem but said "Defense is defense. We've been handling them ever since the start of camp, and tonight just wasn't our night."

Tyron has been a successful addition to the team, and his presence alone should help the defensive back situation. The defense will have better nights than they did on Friday, and when they do expect Tyron to be at the forefront of that effort.